With the mostly unloved Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren set to get the official axe in 2009, the path is clear for the next McLaren-branded supercar to be unveiled. Expected to be built at its facility in Woking, England, McLaren has plans for the as-yet-unnamed vehicle to compete with Ferrari's incredible F430. Rumored to be powered by a 550-horsepower V8 engine featuring a basic design snagged from Mercedes and built by Mahle (that of the former Cosworth tuning fame), the power-to-weight ratio should handily outdo that of the Prancing Horse. Shortly after the new coupe codenamed P11 is unveiled, a convertible version is also expected. True hardcore McLaren enthusiasts should mark 2012 as the year that McLaren returns to form with a proper replacement for its awe-inspiring F1 of a few years back. Powered by a lightweight version of the P11 architecture, this car codenamed the P12 is expected to be powered by a V10 engine with over 600 horsepower. The waiting list will likely start right... about... now.
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Johnson @ May 9th 2008 10:40AM
Just 600HP? You can get that in a Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford. And seeing as how the SLR is dangerously close to 4000 lbs, I don't know how much hope I have for them anymore. The original F1 had 627HP (the road going version, anyways) and was 2500lbs.
You guys better stop making heffers and slapping cool badges on them.
mk @ May 9th 2008 10:47AM
Mercedes had more to do with the SLR's weight and other issues.
IF McLaren is going this alone, and working from it's own clean sheet, with a trained eye on the McLaren F1, this will bear almost no resemblance to the SLR, and be quite light weight.
The F1 had over 600hp, but it was unlike any other, it revved to 8000 RPM much quicker than most cars get to their lower redlines. And it did so without forced induction.
bilbo baggins @ May 9th 2008 4:07PM
INFACT THANK GOD THAT ITS ONLY 600. What do you want? a 4 tonne fat ass car which has a 1000hp? NO USE ! Rather have it lighter which will keep the power low and easier to handle as well! Common sense!
John Johnson @ May 9th 2008 12:05PM
I just meant to point out that I view the F1 as being the car of all cars. It's the ultimate of the ultimate.
Weight is my #1 concern. The power is nothing extraordinary.... but if it makes it the same way the old one did, we're in good shape.
This car has to be the best car in the world, ever. Nothing less. But I'm sure they already know that.
Beastage @ May 10th 2008 11:26AM
You may think that the F1 is the car of all cars... I do not
and I'm sure I'm not alone
I think the F1 was pointless, vulgar, arrogant and a bad drive.
But I'm really not that fond of the hyper/super cards like the F1s, Veyrons, Zondas and the like... I'm more of the down to earth sport/super cards.
WhiteX @ May 9th 2008 10:43AM
Hopefully this is another Gordon Murry designed car.
JD @ May 9th 2008 11:57AM
I agree. The McLaren F1 is still my favorite car of all time. I don't really acknowledge the SLR as being a McLaren, because it's not. A McLaren should be a lightweight, driver oriented, leading sports car. The SLR may be driver oriented, but not in the way the F1 was. And it's nowhere near as beautiful, the packaging isn't nearly as slick (in a footprint that's smaller, the F1 had room for 1 more passenger, 4 more cylinders, and a lot more cargo room....), and, I mean..... it's a Mercedes. That's not a McLaren. Their philosophies don't really see eye to eye. I need another REAL McLaren! Bring it on! And also, they should bring in the old BMW V12. That engine is still more than enough. Do a little development on it, sure, but that engine was perfect for the F1.
mk @ May 9th 2008 10:47AM
V8 mid engined mini-Mac?
Where the hell do I sign up, and where do I have to go to get the money to pay for it...
if it is in the idiom of the McLaren F1, but brought down to sane-supercar prices and takes on the F430 and Gallardo's, or even R8's home turf...
The Germans and Italians had better be ready. This brit has an edge to 'im.
Mobius_1 @ May 9th 2008 10:50AM
Not content with their rivalry in Formula 1, McLaren are taking the fight to the road, and from car enthusiasts point of view, it's looking good (and probably sounds even better, since the cars would go out of sight way too fast)
Dondonel @ May 9th 2008 10:55AM
Wasn't this supposed to be the P11?
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/7329/images/McLaren_1_1000px.jpg
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/7329/images/McLaren_2_1000px.jpg
It certainly looks better than that drawing in the article.
And to answer JJ, it is "only" 600HP but the weight is also 1200kg, which is lighter than Enzo. P11 is not supposed to be a replacement to F1, but it would most likely outperform F1, because of P11's superior underside aerodynamics.
John Johnson @ May 9th 2008 10:55AM
If Gordo is leading this project, I'll buy a poster of this car. If Mercedes has anything to do with it, I'll buy a Ferrari.
Toy Yoda @ May 9th 2008 11:27AM
"Rumored to be powered by a 550-horsepower V8 engine featuring a basic design snagged from Mercedes and built by Mahle."
So what do you mean "snagged"? Was it "snagged" with Mercedes' blessing? If not, I figure McLaren will have a lawsuit on their hands.
MikeofLA @ May 9th 2008 1:19PM
Bring back the 3 person, center driver seating set up! That was awesome. With a car like this, you need at least 2 extra seats for all the tail you'll get.
Oh, and the fastest car around top gears test track only has 500 hp... The Caparo T1, it weights 470kg (1000lbs)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caparo
Jason @ May 9th 2008 3:56PM
Love to see another center driving 3 seater!
Love even more to see them push the boundary and make it electric.
RLQ @ May 9th 2008 5:42PM
The production version better look more McLaren and less Mercedes.
4agze @ May 9th 2008 7:50PM
gordon moray sold mclaren so i wont say it will be better than the F1 LM